How do we better prepare our health system for times of disaster?

Publicly released: Mon 20 Jun 2022 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

Medical Journal of Australia

When disasters like floods and fires hit, the health ramifications go well beyond initial injuries as people struggle to access services for existing health concerns while managing the stress and disruption of the disaster. In a perspective piece, a Read more about How do we better prepare our health system for times of disaster?

Were the bones of fallen soldiers at Waterloo stolen and sold as fertiliser?

Publicly released: Sat 18 Jun 2022 at 0901 AEST | 1101 NZST

Journal of Conflict Archaeology

The surprising lack of human remains found from the Battle of Waterloo is probably because the soldiers' bones were taken and sold as fertiliser in the early 1800s, according to international researchers. The team has compiled letters and memoirs Read more about Were the bones of fallen soldiers at Waterloo stolen and sold as fertiliser?

Biogas, biomethane still comes with a hidden climate cost

Publicly released: Sat 18 Jun 2022 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

One Earth

Touted as a more climate-friendly alternative to natural gas, biomethane and biogas created from organic waste still may emit significantly more methane than previously thought, according to international research. The team collated existing data to Read more about Biogas, biomethane still comes with a hidden climate cost

When it comes to ADHD and ASD, the eyes could reveal all

Publicly released: Fri 17 Jun 2022 at 1631 AEST | 1831 NZST

Frontiers in Neuroscience

In the first study of its kind, researchers found that recordings from the retina could identify distinct signals for both Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) providing a potential biomarker for each Read more about When it comes to ADHD and ASD, the eyes could reveal all

Rural communities under-resourced to take on refugees

Publicly released: Fri 17 Jun 2022 at 1457 AEST | 1657 NZST

International Journal of Inclusive Education

As Australia continues to take on refugees from Ukraine, education experts are calling for essential supports as new research from the University of South Australia shows that rural and regional schools can be under-resourced and ill-prepared to Read more about Rural communities under-resourced to take on refugees

End-of-life plan needed for tens of thousands of wind turbine blades

Publicly released: Fri 17 Jun 2022 at 1240 AEST | 1440 NZST

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

A new study led by The University of South Australia indicates tens of thousands of wind turbine blades will end up in landfill by the end of the decade unless end-of-life programs are established soon. A new study led by The University of South Read more about End-of-life plan needed for tens of thousands of wind turbine blades

Are new corals in Sydney dangerous invaders or harmless refugees?

Publicly released: Fri 17 Jun 2022 at 1205 AEST | 1405 NZST

Coral Reefs

A new study has found that invading subtropical corals will survive and thrive in coastal Sydney, which could spell trouble for existing Sydney coral species. Worsening environmental pressures, such as higher sea temperatures, are causing the Read more about Are new corals in Sydney dangerous invaders or harmless refugees?

Managing insomnia with an app

Publicly released: Fri 17 Jun 2022 at 1130 AEST | 1330 NZST

An app designed to treat insomnia without the use of medication, only available in Australia via a Flinders University clinical trial, has received an official recommendation from the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Read more about Managing insomnia with an app

Omicron may be less likely to cause long Covid than Delta

Publicly released: Fri 17 Jun 2022 at 1053 AEST | 1253 NZST

The Lancet

In a world-first study, British researchers looked at self-reported data from a symptom tracking app to reveal the risk of Omicron-sparked long COVID. The team found the odds of long COVID were lower - by a quarter to a half - with Omicron versus Read more about Omicron may be less likely to cause long Covid than Delta

WHO urges mental health action

Publicly released: Fri 17 Jun 2022 at 1039 AEST | 1239 NZST

Even before the pandemic struck more than 1 billion people were living with a mental disorder, according to a new report by the World Health Organisation, which says there is an urgent need to transform mental health and mental health care. The Read more about WHO urges mental health action

‘Bad guy’ blood cells vital to gut health found

Publicly released: Fri 17 Jun 2022 at 0949 AEST | 1149 NZST

Immunity

A Monash University collaboration has found that eosinophils, a type of white blood cell commonly associated with asthma and allergy, play an important role in maintaining a healthy gut. A Monash University collaboration has found that eosinophils, Read more about ‘Bad guy’ blood cells vital to gut health found

Tokyo Olympics cut carbon emissions from flying by 130,000 tonnes

Publicly released: Fri 17 Jun 2022 at 0640 AEST | 0840 NZST

Annals of Tourism Research Empirical Insights

Japanese and NZ researchers estimate that the CO2 emissions from Olympic staff flying to Tokyo were slashed by about 130,000 tonnes, since fewer personnel travelled there due to the pandemic. These emissions - from air travel of Olympic staff - Read more about Tokyo Olympics cut carbon emissions from flying by 130,000 tonnes

Genes linked to disease are more common in pedigree cats than we thought

Publicly released: Fri 17 Jun 2022 at 0400 AEST | 0600 NZST

PLOS Genetics

Genetic variants associated with disease in cats can be found in more pedigree pets than previously thought, according to international researchers who studied the DNA of over 11,000 domestic cats. They identified 13 new variants associated with Read more about Genes linked to disease are more common in pedigree cats than we thought

If you can't keep the beat you can partly blame your genes

Publicly released: Fri 17 Jun 2022 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Nature Human Behaviour

Having good rhythm and being able to move in time to the beat is at least in part explained by our genes, according to Australian and international researchers who have identified 69 different genetic variants linked with the ability to keep in time Read more about If you can't keep the beat you can partly blame your genes

The Kangaroo Island dunnart is under an extinction-level threat from feral cats

Publicly released: Fri 17 Jun 2022 at 0100 AEST | 0300 NZST

Scientific Reports

The bushfire that tore across Kangaroo Island during the Black Summer damaged the population of the already-endangered Kangaroo Island dunnart and the risk of feral cats may be pushing them closer to extinction, according to Australian research. It Read more about The Kangaroo Island dunnart is under an extinction-level threat from feral cats

New fertility hope for the sons of IVF

Publicly released: Fri 17 Jun 2022 at 0001 AEST | 0201 NZST

Fertility and sterility

IVF has allowed thousands of men with fertility issues to become fathers, and until now it was thought those same fertility concerns had been passed down to their sons. Now, thanks to the world's largest study of men conceived using the most common Read more about New fertility hope for the sons of IVF

Brain ‘fingerprinting’ provides insights into mental health of young adolescents

Publicly released: Thu 16 Jun 2022 at 1559 AEST | 1759 NZST

NeuroImage

Medical imaging of a person’s unique brain signature – much like a fingerprint – has the potential to predict mental health problems in young adolescents, according to a world-first study by University of the Sunshine Coast researchers. Read more about Brain ‘fingerprinting’ provides insights into mental health of young adolescents

One in five mums of young kids experience domestic violence and most don't speak up

Publicly released: Thu 16 Jun 2022 at 1500 AEST | 1700 NZST

PLOS ONE

One in five mothers have experienced intimate partner violence but two-thirds haven't disclosed it to a GP or mental health professional, according to a Victorian study. The researchers followed up with 1500 mums 10 years after birth to survey them Read more about One in five mums of young kids experience domestic violence and most don't speak up

Women want to hear from other patients before deciding on breast reconstruction

Publicly released: Thu 16 Jun 2022 at 1454 AEST | 1654 NZST

Annals of Surgery Open

Breast cancer patients considering bio-medical reconstruction involving new technologies look to engage with former patients on their lived experience to help them make a decision says new research from QUT. Women making critical decisions on breast Read more about Women want to hear from other patients before deciding on breast reconstruction

New Australian commitment to cutting emissions a welcome step

Publicly released: Thu 16 Jun 2022 at 1451 AEST | 1651 NZST

The Government’s commitment today to an increased emissions reduction target for 2030 is strongly welcomed by the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE). ATSE has, however, advised caution regarding how the new commitment of a 43% Read more about New Australian commitment to cutting emissions a welcome step